FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group H: Al Hilal vs CF Pachuca | Preview and Predictions

This Group H encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played between Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the 2024 CONCACAF winners CF Pachuca on June 27 at GEODIS Park, Nashville. 

Here’s our preview and prediction for the game.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group H: Al Hilal vs CF Pachuca | 06:30 IST, June 27

Ahead of Friday’s Group H finale, Real Madrid and RB Salzburg are leading the way, with Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal needing all three points in order to stand any chance of reaching the last 16. Thus, they’ll be heading into their final group fixture high on confidence given they’ll be facing already eliminated CF Pachuca at Nashville. 

After holding the mighty Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture, the Saudi Pro League club were left frustrated after their goalless stalemate against RB Salzburg in their second game. That said, Al Hilal’s dreams of making it through to the Club World Cup’s knockout phase did take a hit in Washington DC, where they dominated possession but struggled to break through the Austrian team’s defence. 

As a result, the Saudi club will now have to rely on a final day victory to progress from Group H and reach the last 16 – although even that may not prove enough. If Al-Hilal beat Pachuca, the winner of the RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid match would top the group with the losers knocked out, however, a draw between Salzburg and Real would leave all three sides level on points.

Since Inzaghi’s men have a goal difference deficit – and their draw against Pachuca would not count – they could still crash out if they win and the other game ends all square on the goals scored rule. 

However, their opponents this Friday – having made little impact in four previous CWC tournaments – have only themselves to blame for their current predicament despite coming into this tournament as the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners. 

Pointless after two Group H fixtures – having previously gone down 2-1 to Salzburg followed by a dismal 3-1 defeat against Real – Jaime Lozano’s men are already eliminated, as they can no longer finish inside the top two.

While Pachuca put up a good fight against RB Salzburg on the opening matchday, they blew their chance to enact revenge on Spanish giants Real Madrid for losing in last year’s Intercontinental Cup final. Despite their extra man advantage for most of the match, the Mexican side lost to 10-man Real where they lacked the composure and clinical finishing to capitalise on their unexpected advantage.

They racked up no fewer than 25 attempts – the most Los Blancos have conceded in a 90-minute match for 12 years. However, Pachuca only had Elias Montiel’s late strike to show for their efforts in a dismal 3-1 defeat. 

In terms of team news, Al Hilal might again have to field a playing XI without former Fulham man Aleksandar Mitrovic – still recovering from an injury – with Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo to continue to deputise. Meanwhile, Pachuca boss Jaime Lozano might make some changes, given his team can no longer progress to the knockout rounds.

Looking ahead to this fixture, Al-Hilal will be motivated to get the win, while Pachuca with nothing to lose could become a difficult opposition to get past. However, with such a strong squad, Simone Inzaghi and co would look to claim their first victory at this year’s Club World Cup, but it remains to be seen whether that is enough to take them through.

Score Prediction: Al Hilal 2-1 CF Pachuca

Venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville